Compound meter



Jan. 19, 19.32.

A. G. HOLMES COMPOUND METER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 7. 1922 Jan. 19, 193.2. I* A HQLMES v 1,842,267

COMPOUND METERV Filed March '7. i922 l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 u. Patented Jan. 19, 1932 TES ennanrnonivrnfs, orfr'rrfrsiennen', rEnNsYLVAnA, .essrenot `BY seien t MENTS,rrorrrrsnunerrnennmnnn METnRcoMPANY, or rrrrsnunen, PENNSYL- e, VANIALA ComaoRATIoN OEPENNSYLVANIA i applicati@ fuea'narch 7,

1 This invention relates to compound meters that isggto meters includingfseparatelmetering `mechanisnisE Whilchare eliectilye' under ditfluidi?` l i u obj-*ect ofi thev inyention'is to produce improyedmeansU-for controllinglthe flow ot' metered l fluid through "the metering mecha` nisms` whereby the apparatusisrendered more effectiyegandfaccurate in operation; p

"Afurthe'r object is to produce a compound meter provided With `in'iproved meansfor controlling theflow loffluifd 'to be `meteredthrough the dilferentmet'ering mechanisms thereof, so

ferent conditions` ofl flow the 1- metered 7: that the vniechanisni"adapted to meter the large flows" is isnbjec ted tothe entire flow at the time of changingtheflow from one metering mech# `anisin to the otherand the mechanism adapted tov meter small l lotvs operates on a E restricted flow during `substantially.` thef" entire period These l and `other obgectsfwhieh will be made more apparent throughout' `thev further descriptionpf theinyentionfare attained by means of apparatusembodying the features hereindescribed andA illustrated finthe drawings accompanying and Alformingi a part hereof.

In the draWings, Figure l is`a diagrammatic "sectional `view illustrating a compound to provide automatic meanstor "shifting the flow` from one mechanism to the" 4other in rereponse to predetermined"Variations in low.

In some casesglthefloyv through the small meter is `Wholly cut' olf atthe time of shifting the flow to the larger meter,`and the small meter remains inoperative fas f "long f as the larguer` nieteringimechanismis: in operation.

11922, semina. 541,632.

`In other cases,v the smaller `meter is never wholly shut of and consequently continues to operate at `all times or Without restriction While the larger meteringV mechanism is in i operation. Both of these arrangements are objectionable.` Where the smaller meter" is cut` off and remains inoperative during the entiretime that the: larger :mechanismis in operation, it is liable to become ineffective by sticking, vdue to the collection ot sediment in its Working mechanism passages. `It `is also objectional to so arrange the apparatus that the smaller meter is never entirely-shut oil',

`since under certain conditions the smaller meter must be of substantially zero capacity to insure an adequate flowthrough the larger mechanism to, start and tol operate the larger mechanism at the instant of shifting to that mechanism. `Whileit is desirable to continue the operation of the smaller metering mechanism during the operation of the larger one, it is objectionable to operate the smaller mechanism on larger Vflows than are `just necessary to keep its operating "parts in motion, since the .function of metering the flow is in effect imposed upon the larger mechanism and asubstantial flow through the smaller mechanism merely increases the Wear on that mechanism, therebydecreasing its life. One of the` features ofmy present invention is that means are -employed "for maintaining a reduced flow `throughithe small meteringmechanism under conditions of largelow,` but which is so arranged that `the larger mechanism receives the entire existing flow at the time of assuming the unctionof metering the flow. i f Referring to the drawings, the compound meter illustrated is providedwith afcasing having an inlet portland an outlet port 5.

A metering mechanisme for large flows is locatedwithin the casing 3 with the inlet `or its metering chamber in open communica tion with the inlet port 4. A partition 7 is Vlocated Within the casing 3 and isrso ar- 9 "ranged thatfit intervenes between the delivery portS of the mechanism 6 and the outlet porte Communication between the ports 8 and lis controlled by means cfa pressure-` responsive yalve 9 Whichcontrols a Aport l() "PATENTOFFICE i in the partition 7. A metering mechanism 11 for metering small flows is also contained within the casing 3 and is located so that the inl-et to its metering chamber is always in open communication with the inlet port 4. rIhe delivery port 12 of this metering chamber is located on the port 5 side of the partition 7 and the latter is so formed and positioned with relation to the casings of the twoV mechanisms that fluid cannot passthrough one meter after it has passed through the other.

rlhevalve 9 is so located and arranged with relation to the discharge port 12eithe meter mechanism 11, that it closes the discharge port 12a-s it opens the port 10. As shown in thedrawings, the valve 9 is of the combined disk and piston type insofar as its control of the port is concerned,and it is provided with a vsleeve 13 which is adapted to telescope with an annular flange 14 surrounding the port 12 and thereby close that port. As shown, the valve 9 is lguided in its operation by a guide 15 carried by the flange 14 and a plunger 16 mounted on the valve stem 17 and operating in a cylinder or extension 18 which as shown is formed on the casing 3 and projects into the discharge passage ot' the metering mechanism 8. It`

will, of course, be understood that the cylindrical flange 14, the port 10 and the cylinder 18 are preferably axially aligned. The valve stem 17 is-also provided with a cup washer 19 which snugly tits the inner wall vof the cylinder18 for the purpose of preventing leakage from the interior of the casing 3 through an atmospheric port 20 with which the cylinder is provided. As shown, the guide 15 is supported by thelange 14 i through the agency ol' a spider 21 and a stud 22.

Under small flow conditions, the valve 9is retained in its lower position, in which the port l() is closed and the port 12 is fully open. Under such conditions, all the Huid traversing the meter must pass through the metering chamber of the mechanism 11. Variations in flow of the metered fluid are in response to. or occasion Avariations in. fluid 1 i pressure in the discharge passages-of the meter and the areas of the valve 9 exposed on opposite sides ot thepartition 7 and to atmospheric pressure within the cylinder 18 are so proportioned that the valve will move in response to variations in pressure within the discharge passage immediately communieating with the outlet port 5.

After apredetcrmined flow is reached, the valve 9, moving in response to the preponderating pressure below the partition 7, lifts the dislr portion oli' the seaty formed on the partition 7 and, as the drop in pressure within the discharging passages oil' the meter continues, the valve moves upwardly and finally opens the port 10 by withdrawing the cylin- ,ser

drical portion of the valve out of closing relation With the port. The sleeve 13 is s0 formed and positioned with relation to the liange 14, the port 10 and the piston portion of the valve 9, that the port 12 is closed as the port 10 is opened. This renders the mechanism 11 ineffective and the mechanism 6 effective. In order to prevent the mechanism 11 from standing idle during long periods of the large flow, I provide means for by-passing the port 12 and for maintaining a small flow through the working passages of the mechanism 11 after the port 12 is closed.

As shown, I have` provided a by-pass valve 28'in'the discharge passage 24 of the mechanism 11 at a point between the inlet end of that passage and the port 12. The valve 2S is located Within a cylindrical casing which is in open communication with the passage 24 and which is provided at its lower end with a port 26 opening into the discharge passage or chamber' of the casing 3. yThe valve 23 controls this port and, as shown, is provided with a stem 27 which projects therethrough and is so located and positioned that it is adapted to be engaged by the valve 9 immediately after that valve has moved upwardly and opened the port 10 and closed the port 1 2.` The valve 23 will therefore open immediately after the port 12 is closed and will permit a just sufficient How through the mechanism 11 to ensure a continuous movement of its operating parts. The casing 25 is also so located and arranged that it forms a stop forvthe valve 9 and therefore limits its travel in one direction and prevents damage to the port closing edge of the sleeve 13.

n From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the valve 23 opens immediately after the valve 12 is closed and thereby permits a limited flow ofiiuid to pass through the Ymetering mechanism 11, lwhereas all the rest of the iiuid traverses the metering passages of theV mechanism 6.7

It will thus be seen that a single port 10 is disposed in the passage in which the large flow meter is disposed, and that discharge from the passage in which the small flow meter is arranged takes place through ports 12 and 26, and that valve means, consisting ciiective and accurate operation of both metering mechanisms and minimizes the wear on the smallermechanism and the register and lindicating mechanism operated thereby.

While I have illustrated and described but one embodiment of my-inventi'on, it will be appa-rent that various changes, modifications,

additions and omissions may be made in the apparatus illustrated Without departing from the spirit and scopeiof the invention as set forth by theappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l; In combination in a compound meter, a metering mechanism for large flows of fluid to be metered, a meteringV mechanism for small flows of fluid to be metered, each having an outlet port communicating with a comi mon discharge-passage, and said small mei tering mechanism having a restricted by-pass `around the outlet port thereof, a valve responsive to pressure Within said passage for simultaneously closing communication between the outlet port of one mechanism and establishing communication between the outlet" port of the other mechanism and said discharge passage, "and a normally closed valve `for establishing communication between said by-pass and said discharge passage after the outlet port `of said mechanism for small flows is closed.

2. In combination in a `compound meter, two metering mechanisms, a valve structure for simultaneously closing the exhaust port of one mechanism and opening the exhaust port of the other, pressure-responsive means for operating said valve to close one or the other of said exhaust ports there being a restricted by-pass around the exhaust port of one mechanism, a normally-closed valve in said by-pass, said valve structure including means to open said by-pass after said firstinentioned meanshas operated to close the i associated exhaust port.

3. In combination in a compound meter, a

` metering mechanism for large flows of fluid to be metered, a metering mechanisinfor small flows of fluid to be metered, lioW re-` sponsive means for diverting the flow of fluid from one to the other of said mechanisms, and

normally closed means operated by said first mentioned means for establishing'a limited VfioW of fluid through the mechanism for,

small flows after the flow of fluidhas been i diverted therefrom to the other mechanism.

1i. In" combination in a compound meter, a metering mechanism for large flows of' fluid to be metered, a metering-mechanism `for small flows offiuid tobe metered, floW re sponsive meansfor simultaneously cutting off the flow through said small flow mechai nism and establishing the flovv through said large flow mechanism, there being a re i stricted by-'passl communicating With `the fau small flow mechanism, and a normally closed valve in said by-pass opened by said means to establish a limited lioW of fluid through said small flow mechanism after said means has operated to cut off the flow therethrough. t

5. In combination ina compound meter, a metering mechanism for large iiovvs of `fluid tofbe metered, afmeteriiig inechanisiirY *for i smallffiows` of fluid to be metered, each having an outlet portcoiniiiunicatingvvitha common i discharge pa-ssage,.a flow responsive valve'for simultaneously closing off comniunicationbetweentheoultlet port of one mechanism and establishing communication betvveenthe cute let'port of the other mechanism and said dis-` chargepassage, there being a restricted bypass passage for by-passing' the outlet portof'the smallfloW meter, and aiiiormally closed valvein said by-pass passage actuated by said flew responsive means to open said bypass passage after said fiowffresponsive meanshas operated tolclosethe` outlet port ofthe small flow mechanism-` 6:` In combination'in` acoinpoiindfiiieterg'fa Y largeunetering `mechanism for large `flows of fluid to be'- metered, a small metering mecha'- fluid to be metered, a small metering mecha# nism for small floWsof fluid tofbemetered, a flow `responsive device for `cutting off `the fio'vv through one or theV other o fsaidmechanisms and simultaneously diverting `tlieilovv to the other,"an`d a by-pass valve, actuated by `said device after theflovvtlirough the smaller meclianismhasV been cut off, for maintaining i k8.-` In combination, inja compound meter, t

a meter casing having afluidinletportand a fluid outlet port, 'a metering mechanism for large fldvvs of fluid to `'metered located Within said casing and *having an inletpo'rt inopen` `comInunicationvvith said fluid inlet port and an outlet port, a meter-ng mecha-f nism for small flows of fluid to be metered having an inlet port in open communication with said fluid inlet port, an outlet port, and a by-pass around said latter outlet port, a normally closed valve located in said by-pass, a

single valve for simultaneously establishing communication between one of said outlet ports and cutting oli' communication between the other of said ports and said fluid outlet i port, and means responsive to the flow of fluid through said casing for actuating said valve and for opening said normally closed valve when the outlet port associated there-V With is closed. i y

V9. In combination, in a compound meter, a

so y

meter casing having an inlet port and an outlet port, two metering mechanisms located within said casing, each having an inlet port communicating with thefinlet port of saidy casing, and an outlet port adapted to com,-v municate with the outlet port of said casing, and onevhaving a restricted bypass communicating With-the outlet port of said casing, means for simultaneously closing the exhaust port of one of'said -mechanisms and opening` the exhaust port of the other, and a normally closed valve in said by-pass operated by said means to open said by-pass when thel outlet port associated therewith is closed.

- 10. A compound meter comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, afpair of passages formed in said casingbetween said inlet and outlet,a large flowy metering mechanism in, one of said passages, asmall flow metering mechanism in the other of saidpassages, a wall of the passage for saidsmall flow meter including a pair Vof discharge ports, a wall of said other passage having a single discharge port, and yvalve means responsive to changes in pressure in said outlet to control the iow throughfsaid mechanisms and said ports, said valve means being arranged to momentarily close both of said ports when the ow is shifted to the large flow meter and to then open one of said ports. 11. A compound meter comprising a casing having an rinlet and an outlet, partitions in said casing providing a passage between said inlet and outlet having a single port discharging in said outlet, and a second passage having a pair of ports discharging in said outlet, ametering mechanism in each of said passages, and valve means arranged to control the flow through saidpassages and metering mechanisms in accordance with pressure conditions in said outlet by closing certain of saidports, saidvalve means operatingto momentarily Close said pair of ports from one of said .passages when said means opens said single Aport in the other passage and to then open one Aof said pair of ports.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 3d day of March, '1922. y ABRAM Gr. HOLMES..

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